Duterte admits worrying over IS security threats

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte, known for his tough talk on security issues, admitted he is worried about threats posed by the Islamic State (IS) and is even praying that the Philippines would be spared from terrorism. ?

Duterte said the activities of the extremist group shown on television news and the internet are making him nervous. ?

“I fear that just like Iraq (and) Syria, many innocent people will be harmed,” the President said during the oath-taking of newly appointed officials in Malacañang on Monday night.?

“I’m praying, I really pray, kneeling before God to spare us the kind of brutality and cruelty in our country because it will really be bloody, bloody as it can ever be,” he added. ?

Duterte has been asking government forces to brace for the IS threat, saying the extremist group may seek to establish a new caliphate in Southeast Asia following its defeat in the Middle East. ?

Intelligence officials also warned of a possible terror plot of IS-allied groups in Northern Luzon.

An intelligence officer of the military’s Northern Luzon Command said his unit is tasked with monitoring Laoag City in Ilocos Norte; Vigan City in Ilocos Sur; Manaoag, Pangasinan and Tuguegarao City in Cagayan.

Marine Col. Glenn Celebrado said these are the “crusader cities,” termed by the IS as target areas to incite a religious war. Intelligence reports also said jihadists are planning to bomb Catholic churches in the cities.

Celebrado placed intelligence operatives on red alert on Aug. 11 to 12 surrounding the observance of Eid al-Adha, a Muslim holiday.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde ordered “target hardening measures” in the cities, following the intelligence reports.

Albayalde said police intelligence operatives in Northern Luzon are still verifying the threat. Nonetheless, Albayalde ordered increased visibility and security checkpoints in the areas.        – With Emmanuel Tupas, Artemio Dumlao